bin
noun
a box or enclosed place for storing grain, coal, or the like.
bin
1 American
[bin]
/ bɪn /
noun
-
bins
plural
verb (used with object)
-
bins,
present (3rd person singular)
-
binned,
past participle, past
-
binning
present participle
bin-
2
American
bin
1
British
/ bɪn /
noun
-
a large container or enclosed space for storing something in bulk, such as coal, grain, or wool
-
Also called: bread bin. a small container for bread
-
Also called: dustbin, rubbish bin. a container for litter, rubbish, etc
-
-
a storage place for bottled wine
-
one particular bottling of wine
-
verb
-
(tr) to store in a bin
-
(tr) to put in a wastepaper bin
bin-
2
British
prefix
Usage
What does bin- mean? Bin- is a combining form used like a prefix, and it means “two” or “two at a time.” While it appears in a variety of scientific terms, it’s also easily recognizable in everyday terms. Bin- comes from the Latin bīnī, meaning “two each” or “by twos.”Bin- is related to the combining form bi- and is used with some words or word elements beginning with vowels. These two forms have similar origins, and for that reason, the difference between the two is a small yet important nuance: bin- tends to mean “double,” while bi- often means “twice.” Want to know more? Read our Words That Use bi- article.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
binsimple
-
binssimple
-
have binnedperfect
-
has binnedperfect
-
am binningprogressive
-
are binningprogressive
-
is binningprogressive
-
have been binningperfect progressive
-
has been binningperfect progressive
Past
-
binnedsimple
-
had binnedperfect
-
was binningprogressive
-
were binningprogressive
-
had been binningperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of bin1
before 950; Middle English binne, Old English binn ( e ) crib, perhaps < Celtic; compare Welsh benn cart
Origin of bin-2
Combining form of Latin bīnī two each, by twos
Explanation
A bin is a box or other lidded container. You might store onions and potatoes in a vegetable bin in your kitchen. The noun bin is especially good for describing a specific kind of container, like a toy bin at a preschool or a compost bin on the counter. Bin is more commonly used in Britain than in the United States — a Londoner might say, "Oh, just throw that in the bin," while a New Yorker is more likely to say, "Throw it in the trash," or "Toss it in the garbage." The root word is the Old English binne, "basket."
Vocabulary lists containing bin
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
In a recently released podcast interview, Alfozan recalled attending a 2016 event in Silicon Valley, where Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed bin Salman met with young Saudi tech workers.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 24, 2026
"The president of the republic is travelling to Saudi Arabia this afternoon to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," a statement from the presidency said earlier.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s de facto leader, has called on the U.S. and other allies to come to his country’s defense.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 13, 2026
Some rancid wine that tasted like "salty bin juice", according to comedian Joanne McNally, topped off possibly the most revolting task yet.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Eighty items pouring from one knocked-over bin is gross.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
On a windy morning in Maine's busiest lobster port of Stonington, bearded men in orange trouser bibs sort lobsters into bins, work on their steel wire traps, or prepare their boats.
From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026
In the western city of Rennes, around 20 people set up a barricade using trash bins and large pallets on the outskirts of a shopping mall.
From Barron's ● Oct. 17, 2026
But one business had already seen a "significant improvement" at their offices after removing staff's personal bins, a move that was initially met with resistance.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The bins embody an idea that has gone too far: that more recycling is always better.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
I walk the cafeteria perimeter to my table from last year, in the corner near the trash and recycling bins.
From "Muffled" by Jennifer Gennari
Another said their opposition was "non-negotiable" and the reforms needed to be "binned" rather than mitigated.
From BBC ● Mar. 19, 2026
However, Quins had fly-half Smith binned in the second half and La Rochelle took advantage to draw level through unconverted tries by former England wing Jack Nowell and scrum-half Thomas Berjon.
From Barron's ● Jan. 18, 2026
Disposable sanitary pads are the most commonly used period product - they stick into your underwear, absorb blood externally and are wrapped and binned after use.
From BBC ● Sep. 23, 2025
Tice was repeatedly asked about whether the election pledges - pitched by Farage at the time as a "contract" with the British people - had been binned.
From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2025
Jon clapped him on the shoulder with his binned hand.
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
"Together, we pioneered the trio binning method for genome assembly. This approach was also published in Nature Communications."
From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2026
He apologised earlier this week after he described the New Zealand haka as "ridiculous" and said it needed "binning" in the build-up to Saturday's Test against the All Blacks.
From BBC ● Nov. 3, 2024
England prop Joe Marler has apologised for a "poorly articulated" social media post before Saturday's match against New Zealand, where he said the haka "needs binning".
From BBC ● Oct. 31, 2024
This new information about olfactory genes in cats was made possible through a new approach to genome sequencing called trio binning, which allows researchers to sequence the most difficult regions of a genome.
From Science Daily ● Nov. 2, 2023
When binning the wine the bottles are held by their necks and slid into their places with such ease and safety that a child might be entrusted with the work.
From Facts About Champagne and Other Sparkling Wines by Henry Vizetelly
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